ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the 17th Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit in Khankendi on Friday, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering economic cooperation, particularly in *trade and investment.
During the meeting, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the recent momentum in bilateral engagement and agreed to deepen collaboration in priority sectors. They acknowledged the progress made on investment opportunities, emphasizing the mutual benefits of enhanced economic ties.
Bilateral Support and Regional Vision
Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed Pakistan’s appreciation for Azerbaijan’s steadfast support during Pakistan’s recent tensions with India. “Pakistan has also consistently stood by Azerbaijan during difficult times,” he noted.
The premier also extended an invitation to President Aliyev to visit Pakistan, highlighting the importance of continued high-level exchanges in strengthening bilateral relations.
Earlier, upon arriving at the Khankendi Congress Centre, PM Shehbaz was welcomed by President Aliyev. The two leaders joined a family photo session with other ECO member states’ heads of government and state.
Pakistan’s Participation at ECO Summit
Leading the Pakistani delegation, Prime Minister Shehbaz was accompanied by *Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, **Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and **Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi. The summit, held under the theme *“New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future”, brought together regional leaders to discuss strategies for enhanced cooperation in key development areas.
At the summit, PM Shehbaz outlined Pakistan’s stance on global and regional challenges, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to *ECO Vision 2025. He called for stronger **intra-regional trade, **transport connectivity, **energy partnerships, and **sustainable development*.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the Pakistani premier to thank Azerbaijan for its hospitality during his recent visit to Lachin from May 27–29, further cementing diplomatic goodwill between the two countries.
